JPII Version of Stations of the Cross?

[baylee]

I just went to church last night for the Stations of the Cross. Much to my surprise, the traditional Stations was not what was planned. There was a book that had JPII’s version of the Stations. He changed certain stations and added a 15th? As I sat there preparing to take part, it just bothered me and I decided to leave. From what I could tell, at the very least, the stations where Jesus falls were nowhere to be found.

I just don’t get this.* Why change them*?

 

[Marie5890]

To be fair, there are a variety of different versions of Stations of the Cross; Im guessing you have a favorite is all

 

[jtodisco]

Like Marie5890 pointed out there is some variation in how people participate in the devotion of the Stations of the Cross. The only thing John Paul II added from what I understand is the 15th Station, which is Christ’s Resurrection. Personally, I think this is a good addition just as I think John Paul II’s decision to add the Luminous Mysteries to the rosary was a good decision as well.

Anyway, at my local parish we participate in “John Paul II’s version”, which only means that there is the addition of the 15th Station. There were still all the other original 14 in the order I’ve always known them to be in. I do think it’s a little sad that you would leave church before having given the devotion a chance, you seem to have judged it with no firsthand knowledge of it just based on whatever you determined beforehand. The reason for us to participate in the Stations of the Cross is to bring us closer to the Lord, to remind us of the sacrifice He made for us, and (in some cases) to end by celebrating His Resurrection as a reminder that He triumphed over sin and death.

 

[laszlo]

Here is the Catholic Encyclopedia article about the different historical stations of the cross

newadvent.org/cathen/15569a.htm

We are living body of Christ.

 

[baylee]

Like Marie5890 pointed out there is some variation in how people participate in the devotion of the Stations of the Cross. The only thing John Paul II added from what I understand is the 15th Station, which is Christ’s Resurrection. Personally, I think this is a good addition just as I think John Paul II’s decision to add the Luminous Mysteries to the rosary was a good decision as well.

Anyway, at my local parish we participate in “John Paul II’s version”, which only means that there is the addition of the 15th Station. There were still all the other original 14 in the order I’ve always known them to be in. I do think it’s a little sad that you would leave church before having given the devotion a chance, you seem to have judged it with no firsthand knowledge of it just based on whatever you determined beforehand. The reason for us to participate in the Stations of the Cross is to bring us closer to the Lord, to remind us of the sacrifice He made for us, and (in some cases) to end by celebrating His Resurrection as a reminder that He triumphed over sin and death.

As I said in my OP, there were additional changes …not just the 15 th station. And yes, I did leave the church…it didn’t feel right to me to leave out such stations as Christ falling which is depicted on the walls of every Catholic church I’ve ever been in. It seems unnecessary to me.

 

[Phemie]

I just went to church last night for the Stations of the Cross. Much to my surprise, the traditional Stations was not what was planned. There was a book that had JPII’s version of the Stations. He changed certain stations and added a 15th? As I sat there preparing to take part, it just bothered me and I decided to leave. From what I could tell, at the very least, the stations where Jesus falls were nowhere to be found.

I just don’t get this.* Why change them*?

JPII’s chose to develop a Way of the Cross based only on events related in the Gospels. Many of the traditional stations we see in churches today are not biblically based: the falls, the meeting with Veronica, etc.

 

[Biedrik]

If I remember correctly this was called the “Scriptural Stations of the Cross”. The stations were all based on scripture, since some of the traditional ones aren’t. It’s merely an alternate version that can be done, one that has more grounding in scripture.

 

[corsair]

Our local parish uses the Ligorian method. (14 Stations and a closing prayer)

 

[Phemie]

Once I saw JPII’s version I couldn’t help but wonder why the Resurrection is not included in the traditional one. Without the Resurrection, Jesus’ death would be in vain.

 

[buzzox44]

Why should that shock you, JP2 also added another Mystery to the Holy Rosary, as if Our Lady from Heaven must have goofed up and forgot one…

 

[buzzox44]

At my Church they also have Stations that’s not so bad, It’s not the JP2 Stations, but it does follow slightly behind the St. Alphonsus Liguori Stations which I use. even the lyrics to the Stabat Mater are different. But I won’t stop going I love the Stations of the Cross.

 

[puzzleannie]

I just went to church last night for the Stations of the Cross. Much to my surprise, the traditional Stations was not what was planned. There was a book that had JPII’s version of the Stations. He changed certain stations and added a 15th? As I sat there preparing to take part, it just bothered me and I decided to leave. From what I could tell, at the very least, the stations where Jesus falls were nowhere to be found.

I just don’t get this.* Why change them*?

you are aware that there is more than one version of the “traditional” stations used at different times and places

you are further aware that any devotion the pope promotes is by definition legitimate

why would you be disturbed at being assisted in meditation on these gospel passages on the Lord’s passion, which this version is doing? At what level is your faith if you can only meditate during lent on the specific events marked in the “traditional” stations? and what is there about a pope enlarging and developing on our lenten devotion based on the Passion which disturbs you?

 

[baylee]

you are aware that there is more than one version of the “traditional” stations used at different times and places

you are further aware that any devotion the pope promotes is by definition legitimate

why would you be disturbed at being assisted in meditation on these gospel passages on the Lord’s passion, which this version is doing? At what level is your faith if you can only meditate during lent on the specific events marked in the “traditional” stations? and what is there about a pope enlarging and developing on our lenten devotion based on the Passion which disturbs you?

I suspect, based on the bolded question, that you have a better answer than I do.

I’m not sure why it bothered me, but it did. I would think that a Traditional forum would have a preference for the traditional. Go figure.

 

[baylee]

If I remember correctly this was called the “Scriptural Stations of the Cross”. The stations were all based on scripture, since some of the traditional ones aren’t. It’s merely an alternate version that can be done, one that has more grounding in scripture.

OK, this at least makes sense; however, I always thought Catholic tradition wasn’t always based on Scripture. Why does a Catholic tradition need to be completely Scripture-based? It’s almost as if this is in response to an issue the Bible-only Christians might have with the more traditional version(s).

 

[Jesus_123]

+For those who may not be familiar with these two beautiful holy devotions . . . the below covers both devotions of the . . . **Stations of the Cross ** . . . which have been widely prayed among the faithful in our wonderful Apostolic Holy Roman Catholic Church . . .

. . . :coffeeread: . . .

Stations of the Cross

Traditional Stations of the Cross

Stations of the Cross (or the Way of the Cross; in Latin, Via Crucis; also called the Via Dolorosa or Way of Sorrows, or simply, The Way) refers to the depiction of the final hours (or Passion) of Jesus, and the devotion commemorating the Passion. The tradition as chapel devotion began with** St. Francis of Assisi **and extended throughout the Roman Catholic Church in the medieval period.

The Stations themselves are usually a series of 14 pictures or sculptures depicting the following scenes:

1. 
   *]Jesus is condemned to death
   *]Jesus is given His cross
   *]Jesus falls the first time
   *]Jesus meets His Mother
   *]Simon of Cyrene carries the cross
   *]Veronica wipes the face of Jesus
   *]Jesus falls the second time
   *]Jesus meets the daughters of Jerusalem
   *]Jesus falls the third time
   *]Jesus is stripped of His garments
   *]Crucifixion: Jesus is nailed to the cross
   *]Jesus **dies on the cross **
   *]Jesus’ body is removed from the cross (Deposition or Lamentation)
   *]Jesus is laid in the tomb and covered in incense.
   
   Although not traditionally part of the Stations, the Resurrection of Jesus is sometimes included as a fifteenth station.[5][6]
   

   ---

   Scriptural Way of the Cross
   
   Out of the fourteen traditional Stations of the Cross, only eight have clear scriptural foundation. Stations 3, 4, 6, 7, and 9 are not specifically attested to in the gospels and Station 13 (representing Jesus’s body being taken down off the cross and laid in the arms of his mother Mary) seems to embellish the gospels’ record which state that Joseph of Arimathea took Jesus down from the cross and buried him. In order to provide a version of this devotion more closely aligned with the biblical accounts, **Pope John Paul II **introduced a new form of devotion, called the ***Scriptural Way of the Cross ***on Good Friday 1991. He celebrated that form many times but not exclusively at the Colosseum in Rome.[7][8] In 2007, Pope Benedict XVI approved this set of stations for meditation and public celebration: They follow this sequence:
   1. 
      *]Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane,
      *]Jesus is betrayed by Judas and arrested,
      *]Jesus is condemned by the Sanhedrin,
      *]Jesus is denied by Peter,
      *]Jesus is judged by Pilate,
      *]Jesus is scourged and crowned with thorns,
      *]Jesus takes up His cross,
      *]Jesus is helped by Simon to carry His cross,
      *]Jesus meets the women of Jerusalem,
      *]Jesus **is crucified, **
      *]Jesus promises His kingdom to the repentant thief,
      *]Jesus entrusts Mary and John to each other,
      *]Jesus dies on the cross,
      *]Jesus is laid in the tomb.
      
      
      - Wikipedia​

1. 1. 
      
      
      "O my Jesus . . . forgive us our sins . . . save us from the fires of hell . . . lead all souls to heaven . . . especially those most in need of thy mercy . . . " - the Blessed Virgin Mary​
      
      Below is a link to a copy of the beautiful devout . . . **The Way of the Cross . . . ** by Saint Alphonsus Liguori . . . with prayers included . . .
      :compcoff: Link: feastofsaints.com/wayofcrossalph.htm
      
      
      . . . all for Jesus+
      . . . thank You Dear Blessed Lord our Saviour+
      . . . thank you Blessed Holy Mother+
      . . . thank you Blessed Holy Mother Church+​

 

[Biedrik]

Why should that shock you, JP2 also added another Mystery to the Holy Rosary, as if Our Lady from Heaven must have goofed up and forgot one…

I doubt that was what Pope John Paul II was thinking. He rather loved Our Lady. He didn’t even make the luminous mysteries mandatory. He just said “Hey, these could be some nice meditations for the rosary. Try them if you’d like.”

 

[JReducation]

I just went to church last night for the Stations of the Cross. Much to my surprise, the traditional Stations was not what was planned. There was a book that had JPII’s version of the Stations. He changed certain stations and added a 15th? As I sat there preparing to take part, it just bothered me and I decided to leave. From what I could tell, at the very least, the stations where Jesus falls were nowhere to be found.

I just don’t get this.* Why change them*?

The Stations of the Cross are not a liturgical act. They’re not even a public act. Even when they are prayed in common, they are still private prayer. As the article that someone posted from the Catholic Encyclopedia says, they have a long history. It was St. Francis of Assisi that made them popular in Europe.

Later, when the Franciscan Custody of the Holy Land was created, the tradition was transferred from Assisi to the Holy Land, where the Way of the Cross actually took place. St. Francis developed the stations a little differently from what you see hanging on a Church wall. They were living stations. He used them to inspire love for Christ crucified among a people who did not read or write. That’s why he did not have a 15th station. It was not that he did not appreciate the Resurrection. His reason had to do with his passion for the Passion.

To be honest, there are more than 15 versions of the Stations of the Cross from St. Francis himself and more than 100 versions written by different Franciscans. Then there are other versions by other spiritual masters. John Paul II is also a spiritual master.

To leave the church because you did not like John Paul’s version is unnecessary. What is happening is that the person is showing that he or she does not understand the history of the Stations, the purpose, and the fact that they are not a public prayer of the Church but a private devotion that may be shared in public, big difference.

The Stations are in the same grouping of private prayers as the Rosary. If you want liturgical prayer with its rubrics and directions, other than the mass, the way you ought to go is to the Liturgy of the Hours. Even there, you will find several forms, each with its own rubrics and directions. But all of them are forms of the same public prayer of the Church. This is not the case for the Stations. Therefore, anyone can write a different version of them. As long as they do not contain error, they may be used. If you’re praying them alone, you can even create your own set as long as you follow the Way of the Cross.

Don’t be so hard on yourself or on the Holy Father. Pray the stations. They are a good meditation on the Passion. If you focus more on keeping the order as you know it, you run the risk of the spiritual wealth that the writer is offering you.

Fraternally,

Br. JR, OSF

 

[baylee]

The Stations of the Cross are not a liturgical act. They’re not even a public act. Even when they are prayed in common, they are still private prayer. As the article that someone posted from the Catholic Encyclopedia says, they have a long history. It was St. Francis of Assisi that made them popular in Europe.

Later, when the Franciscan Custody of the Holy Land was created, the tradition was transferred from Assisi to the Holy Land, where the Way of the Cross actually took place. St. Francis developed the stations a little differently from what you see hanging on a Church wall. They were living stations. He used them to inspire love for Christ crucified among a people who did not read or write. That’s why he did not have a 15th station. It was not that he did not appreciate the Resurrection. His reason had to do with his passion for the Passion.

To be honest, there are more than 15 versions of the Stations of the Cross from St. Francis himself and more than 100 versions written by different Franciscans. Then there are other versions by other spiritual masters. John Paul II is also a spiritual master.

**To leave the church because you did not like John Paul’s version is unnecessary. What is happening is that the person is showing that he or she does not understand the history of the Stations, the purpose, and the fact that they are not a public prayer of the Church but a private devotion that may be shared in public, big difference. **

The Stations are in the same grouping of private prayers as the Rosary. If you want liturgical prayer with its rubrics and directions, other than the mass, the way you ought to go is to the Liturgy of the Hours. Even there, you will find several forms, each with its own rubrics and directions. But all of them are forms of the same public prayer of the Church. This is not the case for the Stations. Therefore, anyone can write a different version of them. As long as they do not contain error, they may be used. If you’re praying them alone, you can even create your own set as long as you follow the Way of the Cross.

Don’t be so hard on yourself or on the Holy Father. Pray the stations. They are a good meditation on the Passion. If you focus more on keeping the order as you know it, you run the risk of the spiritual wealth that the writer is offering you.

Fraternally,

Br. JR, OSF

The bolded part is true…and although I felt uncomfortable with the version I also felt badly about leaving the church. I really didn’t appreciate the insinuations earlier in the thread that somehow my faith was subpar as a result.

I did go to a different church that night and caught a different version (which was closer to what I had known in the past). I guess I just didn’t know there were so many versions of the Stations. What do I know? I’m just a convert. I’ve been one for many years now, but I guess there is always more to learn.

 

[baylee]

+For those who may not be familiar with these two beautiful holy devotions . . . the below covers both devotions of the . . . Stations of the Cross . . . which have been widely prayed among the faithful in our wonderful Apostolic Holy Roman Catholic Church . . .

"O my Jesus . . . forgive us our sins . . . save us from the fires of hell . . . lead all souls to heaven . . . especially those most in need of thy mercy . . . " - the Blessed Virgin Mary
​

Below is a link to a copy of the beautiful devout . . . The Way of the Cross . . . by Saint Alphonsus Liguori . . . with prayers included . . .
:compcoff: Link: feastofsaints.com/wayofcrossalph.htm

. . . all for Jesus+
. . . thank You Dear Blessed Lord our Saviour+
. . . thank you Blessed Holy Mother+

. . . thank you Blessed Holy Mother Church+​

Thank you for the link. This is the Stations I know as traditional and have printed it out. I will use this as my Lenten prayer this coming Friday.

 

[Jesus_123]

+Your very welcome . . . The Way of the Cross . . . by Saint Alphonsus Liguori . . . is also the chosen reverently beautiful devotional that the Eternal Word Television Network (EWTN) broadcasts each Friday in the middle of the day . . .

God bless . . .

. . . all for Jesus+​